FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 04, 2019


Department of Public Safety now accepting nominations for awards honoring heroic first responders, and civilians who assisted first responders


The Department of Public Safety today announced it is accepting nominations for two awards honoring Missouri first responders for performing heroic acts in 2018, as well as a third award that recognizes civilians who assisted responders in emergency situations. The nomination deadline is March 31, 2019.

  • The Missouri Medal of Valor recognizes heroic service by first responders in an effort to save a life. The Medal of Valor is Missouri’s highest award for public safety officers and is awarded to those who exhibit exceptional courage, decisiveness and swift action without regard for their own safety in their attempt to save a life. Law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, state and local corrections officers, court officers and emergency management personnel are eligible.
  • The Governor’s Medal recognizes extraordinary actions by an organized or ad hoc team of public safety officers for brave actions above and beyond the call of normal duty during a critical situation in which their teamwork was essential to the successful resolution of the situation. Law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, state and local corrections officers, court officers and emergency management personnel are eligible.
  •  The Civilian Partnership Award honors a civilian who has provided valuable or courageous assistance to public safety officers in an emergency situation, without regard for their own personal welfare. It may also be bestowed on a civilian or team of civilians who train public safety officers in life-saving techniques which are later utilized to save a life.

 

For additional information about the awards, including who is eligible to make a nomination, go to: http://dps.mo.gov/medal/. The site includes nomination forms for each of the awards. All nominations must be postmarked by March 31, 2018.

 

For award purposes, public safety officers must be individuals who serve a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law enforcement officer, emergency responder or emergency management personnel, including EMTs and paramedics. State and local corrections and court officers are also eligible.

 



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For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov